RiverFest to celebrate local rivers

Thursday

Jun 15, 2017 at 7:00 AM

This year’s RiverFest celebration is scheduled for June 17 and 18 — a weekend of free, family activities from Lowell to Framingham.

RiverFest is the annual celebration of the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Wild and Scenic Rivers, and includes more than 40 events in nine communities, including free walks, talks, hikes, paddles, concerts and art.

Events in Concord include a Sudbury River pontoon boat tour -- a free one-hour boat tour will leave from the South Bridge Boat house on Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. Reservations are required. Call 978-371-1785.

People can join the Concord Land Trust at 9 a.m. June 17 for a 1 1/2-hour walk to explore the landscapes along the Assabet River. Meet at the corner of Nashawtuc and Musketaquid roads.

Walden Woods exploration is a guided walk focusing on plants and birds with naturalist Peter Alden at 5 p.m. June 17. Meet at the corner of Fairhaven Road and Arena Terrace.

During the October Farm Riverfront Walk, join naturalist Peter Alden and the Concord Land Trust June 18 at 7 a.m. Meet in the parking North Bridge parking lot on Monument Street.

“Ride for the Rivers” is June 18 at 10 a.m. People can join the Nashoba Valley Pedalers for a 30- to 35-mile ride on roads crisscrossing the Wild and Scenic Rivers (with a stop for ice cream). Details at oars3rivers.org.

Join Mass Wildlife for fish electroshocking demonstration to hear how they study fish and what they learn. Meet at the footbridge along the Nashoba Brook behind the Nashoba Brook Bakery June 18 from 11 a.m. to noon.

Paddle, Music, Art and History at the Old Manse is June 18. Participants can come to the riverbank by foot or paddle and bring a picnic for the following events:

— Learning about Thoreau’s delight with and understanding of these three rivers. Robert Thorson will introduce and read from his new book, “The Boatman: Henry David Thoreau’s River Years” at 1 p.m. Also a stone wall expert and children’s book author, Thorson will tell young and old the secrets of stone walls and why the old fieldstone wall behind the Old Manse is the most important one in America at 3 p.m.

— Global Water Dance raises awareness of the limited water with four dance performances and a water blessing from 2 to 3 p.m.

— Create fish and turtles with OARS from 1 to 3 p.m.

— Join Mass Audubon naturalist for a family visit with “Wetland Wildlife” from 1 to 3 p.m.

— A Robbins open house will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the Old Manse will offer free tours at 6 and 7 p.m.

During the Solstice Cardboard Boat Challenge, participants can build and race a cardboard boat in the Concord River. Race winner categories are first to cross finish line in a boat, most-creative river habitat design and most-spectacular sinking. Registration is required. Details are at oars3rivers.org and theumbrellaarts.org/program/arts-environment. Event is June 18 from 3 to 6 p.m.

During a literary paddle along the Concord River leader Ron McAdow will read excerpts at famous landmarks from the literature the river has inspired. The paddle launches at 3:30 p.m. June 18. Registration through SVT is required.

RiverFest ends June 18 by celebrating the arrival of summer with Musketaquid and OARS at the Old Manse. A picnic and music with Sawyer Lawson & Company begins at 6:30 p.m. An illuminated flotilla with Voices of the Earth chorus is at 8 p.m., and a solstice bonfire with s’mores is at 8 p.m.

For a full listing of events and maps: sudbury-assabet-concord.org. For questions: 978-223-5049.